Freshwater
Ruby tetra
Axelrodia riesei
Acestrorhamphidae, Megalamphodinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 2.1 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- At least 6 together
- Smallest aquarium
- 13 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Videos
Ruby Tetra (Axelrodia riesei) -a tiny jewel from the freshwater streams of Colombia!
CHRIS LUKHAUPAug 15, 2026
More about the species
Description
Strongly red in nature, but gets pale in captivity. Maximum length reported to reach 4 cm TL.
Other names
In other languages
- Rubintetra
- Helotetra, Purppuratetra
Articles
All articles
How many fish can I keep?4 min read
Why "one cm of fish per liter" falls short, and what adult size, schools, territory and swimming zones mean for how many fish a tank can hold.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.